Jeff Gorton opens up about the Canadiens’ plans: “We’d like to be aggressive.”

Charles-Alexis Brisebois
Jeff Gorton opens up about the Canadiens’ plans: “We’d like to be aggressive.”
Credit: YouTube

Unbeknownst to most, the Canadiens have only three games left before the trade deadline.

Of course, those games won't take place for a few weeks. For now, the players who aren't going to the Olympics will enjoy a break of several days.

The next practice will be on February 17.

At this time last year, the Canadiens were not in the same position. Before the Four Nations Challenge break, things were going pretty badly in town.

But in 2026, it's the opposite.

(Credit: NHL.com)

The Canadiens are improving and their chances of making the playoffs are excellent. And with little hockey left to play before the deadline, Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton undoubtedly know what they want to do between now and March 6.

The club president discussed this with Eric Engels in an article published on the Sportsnet website.I recommend reading it.

As expectations rise month after month in the city and the club wins more and more regularly, fans want to see the Canadiens improve by the deadline.

And you know what? Jeff Gorton, who likes what he sees from his club, would also like to make a move. But not at any cost…

We'd like to be aggressive, and we will be if necessary. – Jeff Gorton

But the thing is, the rhetoric hasn't changed. The Canadiens continue to want to build long-term power. The goal is not to win a little more in 2026, but to build a great club for the future.

Obviously, if a strong scorer caught the club's eye and fit their long-term needs, HuGo would try to go after him.

But right now, Gorton seems more like the guy who knows the state of the market and wants to lower expectations for March 6. After all, if the prices are crazy, he won't make a move.

The Habs know that one player isn't going to win them everything. And since the club has quite a few extra players (not to mention the price tag to move them), there's no rush for now.

The internal development of players (including someone like Oliver Kapanen) allows the habs to buy time and continue to manage fan expectations for the future.

Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton will be on the phone a lot in the coming month, despite the trade freeze. But don't think they'll make any spectacular moves at any cost.


Overtime

– That's too bad.

– Sad news.

– Oh, really?

– No last-minute jersey number change for Macklin Celebrini at the Games. It's too late.

– And rightly so.

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